| Coastal and marine areas are ever increasing in value to the welfare of countries, communities and regions. These areas provide natural, social and economic functions that contribute to increased quality of life. Some natural functions include habitat for endangered species, species breeding and resting areas, water treatment, groundwater recharge, and flood attenuation. Some social and economic functions include tourism, commercial and recreational fishing, oil and gas development, and construction. Accurate and up-to-date spatial information (on many levels) regarding the resources that currently exist, the nature of the environment within which those resources exist, as well as on the users of those resources is always a requirement for effective... |
